The Day Space Became Crowded
Eight years ago, a single Indian rocket launched 104 satellites into orbit, marking a pivotal moment when space tracking professionals realized the dawn of a new, congested era in orbital operations
AEROCUBE 16A (59290)
COSPAR: 2024-053C | Alt Name: Aerocube 16A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 21, 2024
Launch Site
WLPIS
Launch Pad
Pad 0C
Launch Vehicle
Electron
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
59290
International Designator
2024-053C
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 06:17:25 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
49.99°
Right Ascension
161.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
99.31°
Period
93.22 min
Mean Motion
15.45 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
AEROCUBE 16A
Alternative Name
Aerocube 16A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
AERO
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 59290U 24053C 26200.26210514 .00008130 00000+0 17971-3 0 9999
2 59290 49.9879 161.5017 0003074 99.3088 260.8223 15.44696855126066
Source: Celestrak
Summary
AEROCUBE 16A is a CubeSat (6U) technology satellite launched on March 21, 2024, from WLPIS Pad 0C using the Electron launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 2 meters in length and has a diameter of 1 meter with a span of 5 meters. It has a dry mass and launch mass of 10 kg each. AEROCUBE 16A is owned and manufactured by AERO, equipped with solar cells and batteries for power. Its shape is described as a box with a pan configuration. The satellite's primary purpose is to conduct technology demonstrations in orbit.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
10
Launch Mass
10
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Aerocube 16A
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
AERO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 6U
Configuration
CubeSat (6U)
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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